Mayor calls for track free tram technology

Tuesday 17 October 2017

Mayor of Inner West Council Darcy Byrne today called on the Government to look to the future and install an innovative Guided Electric Transit System (GETS) or track-free tram technology on Parramatta Road.

His call follows the release of a report commissioned by the Government which recommended the Bays become a hub for transport innovation with a range of new transport options including driverless cars and driverless electric shuttle buses.

“Today’s report shows that the roads of the future will be paved with new technology,” he said.

“It’s time the Government got with the program and took up our bold plan to fix one of Sydney’s most congested road corridors.

“There is a critical need to fix traffic and transport issues along one of Sydney’s busiest and most blighted corridors.

“The technology exists – we just need the will of the Government to get on with it.

“There have been more than a dozen plans to transform Parramatta Road over the years that have all failed due to lack of a proper transport solution.

“And with the Government recently ruling out installing Light Rail on Parramatta Road – track free trams might just be the answer thousands of frustrated commuters are looking for.

“This would be a game-changing option to breathe new life into Parramatta Road.

“With State Government backing, this cutting-edge public transport project could be delivered within five years without having to rip up roads.

“Putting track-free trams along Parramatta Road would transform the area by reducing the reliance on cars, reactivating street frontages and making the area more pedestrian friendly.”

Mayor Byrne said Inner West Council had undertaken a study to look at how to improve Parramatta Road which considered Light Rail, dedicated Diesel Bus lanes and Guided Electric Transit System (GETS) or track-free trams.

Track-free trams emerged as the preferred option on the basis of low disruptions to commuters, speed of implementation, cost-effectiveness, environmental considerations and the ability to be accommodated within the existing carriageway.

Using a scorecard developed by New York’s Institute for Transportation and Development Policy (ITDP), the system rates as world’s best practice and is being rolled out in many cities across Europe and North America. While track-free trams are being used internationally, it would be the first system of its type in Australia.